Travelers are encouraged to postpone unnecessary trips Sunday morning until temperatures rise, with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews continuing to treat for isolated areas of icing and remove numerous downed trees in the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
Interstate 95 is clear, and primary and secondary roads across the region have mostly wet pavement. But with temperatures below freezing this morning, crews are applying a mix of sand and salt to roads to melt isolated patches of ice while providing additional traction for vehicle tires.
Falling tree debris remains a travel hazard. During yesterday’s ice storm through Sunday morning, VDOT crews have cleared around 500 downed trees districtwide. Crews remain at work this morning to remove trees, with tree contractors augmenting their efforts. Downed trees are especially severe in the Route 3 corridor in Lancaster and Northumberland counties, in Caroline County and southern Spotsylvania County in the Fredericksburg area, and in Essex, King and Queen, King William and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.
Before starting a trip, motorists are advised to check 511Virginia for real-time road conditions along their route, as conditions may vary significantly between regions. Call 511, visit
511virginia.org, or download the
free mobile 511Virginia app.
What Motorists Should Know
- Delay unnecessary travel if possible Sunday to allow temperatures to rise and road conditions to improve.
- If you must travel, proceed with extreme caution. Roads along your route may be blocked by downed trees or other hazards. Expect the unexpected. Reduce speed and add following distance.
- Clean snow and ice from your vehicle before starting a trip. This will improve your visibility of the road ahead, and it will prevent snow and ice from becoming a flying debris hazard for other travelers.
- Give VDOT crews space to work. Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind trucks and other equipment that are plowing or treating the road. Do not pass a spreader. .
- Remember to move over and slow down for stopped vehicles with flashing, blinking or alternating blue, red or amber lights.
VDOT Customer Service Center
If motorists encounter a downed tree or another hazard in the road, do not attempt to remove it.
VDOT’s Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or online at
https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.
Social Media
Follow VDOT on Twitter at
@VaDOT and VDOT Fredericksburg District at
@VaDOTFRED.
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